Chapter 225: The Disappearance of CC

Lin Xian had thoroughly explored around the statue in Rhine Memorial Plaza, but it was clear that no clues were to be found there. Shifting his focus to the surrounding areas, he made his way down the steps from the statue’s platform. As he reached the bottom, he stopped abruptly.

“Hmm? A dead end?” he murmured, puzzled.

Before him stood a tall electronic gate blocking the transition from the platform to the bustling plaza below. This explained the stark contrast: the lively crowd on one side and the deserted space near the statue. Lin Xian recalled his unconventional entry from the sky, which allowed him access to this otherwise restricted area.

Inspecting the gate, he found no visible mechanisms to open it—a keypad or any sort of control was conspicuously absent. It was apparent he couldn’t exit this way, but this wasn’t a concern for him. Remembering the trash robot that had been ejected off the platform, he utilized his parkour skills to climb down the wall, mimicking the robot’s accidental path.

Upon landing with a soft thud, he saw the dismantled parts of the robot scattered around. A thought struck him: If one needed to access the platform again, they’d face the impenetrable gate he had inspected earlier. Yet, how had the trash robot, known as VV, gotten through? He briefly entertained the idea of a special passage for maintenance robots but discarded it as the robot was beyond any functional check now.Fôllôw new stories at no/v(e)lb/in(.)com

Leaving the confines of the statue area, Lin Xian strolled through the plaza, his attention caught by the eclectic fashion around him. Unlike any typical city, the residents of Sky City donned attire that appeared to be crafted from high-tech fabric acting like a display screen. Children’s clothing shifted in color and design, mimicking animations, while adults wore subtler but equally dynamic outfits featuring patterns that moved like natural elements. Some clothes even showcased animated characters that interacted playfully with their environment.

“These clothes... If only we had them back in 2023,” Lin Xian mused, appreciating the convenience of technology that allowed for such dynamic personal expression.

His simple attire didn’t draw any stares in this diverse fashion landscape, affirming the inclusive nature of Sky City. As he ventured beyond the plaza, the city’s true essence unfolded before him. It was a stark contrast to the superficial charm of New Donghai City; here, the prosperity was underpinned by genuine advancements in technology. The skies buzzed with agile vehicles and operational robots, all part of a highly efficient system. Buildings displayed ever-changing 3D imagery that, despite causing significant light pollution, showcased impressive technological prowess.

Robots designed to blend with the city’s futuristic aesthetic zipped through the streets, efficiently cleaning up without a trace. Lin Xian, hailing from 600 years in the past, could barely grasp the underlying technology—everything seemed to border on magic.

His thoughts wandered back to the enigmatic Genius Club. Initially, he had believed their objective was to hinder technological progress, based on his experiences in earlier dreams. But the evident technological explosion in Rhine Sky City challenged that notion. Was there a deeper, unseen agenda beyond merely stifling innovation?

“The more I think about it, the less sense it makes,” he confessed aloud, puzzled.

Another lingering question was the relevance of the number 42 in this context. Previously, Big Cat Face’s father, a notable mathematician, could have shed light on this mystery, but his early demise from radiation sickness left many questions unanswered.

As Lin Xian left the plaza, he noted the solemn respect accorded to the area, signified by the prohibition against honking and the absence of vehicular traffic. A statue of Zhao Ying Jun marked her significant legacy in this city.

“What on earth is going on?” Lin Xian muttered as he stepped outside. Suddenly, the sky exploded with blue-speckled butterflies, their chaotic fluttering like a string snapping loudly.

BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!!

The familiar searing white light engulfed everything, turning it to ash.

...

...

...

Lin Xian jolted awake in his bed. It was exactly 00:42.

“Why doesn’t Time Bank exist anymore?” he pondered, his mind racing with theories about temporal shifts and the unpredictable nature of time.

The concept of temporal elasticity echoed in his thoughts, a concept Yellow Finch had mentioned as crucial. “Temporal elasticity... is just resilience in time and space, right? A tolerance within certain change limits? What else could it mean?”

Frustrated but exhausted, Lin Xian decided to rest. Tomorrow would be another busy day, starting with picking up Liu Feng from the airport, who claimed to have a new invention to show him.

“I wonder what it is,” Lin Xian mused as he drifted back to sleep, the mysteries of Rhine Sky City lingering in his dreams.

This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation